The book is addressed to the Indian reader. Of the three largest economies in Asia, Japan, not China, was the first to get off the mark. China has followed spectacularly in our own times. It hurts me, therefore, that India still remains a laggard and this was one of the chief reasons for writing the book.

What interest can it have, therefore, for US readers and those in other countries? I think that what happens in India - presently the second largest and soon to become the largest populated country in the world - would be of great consequence for current and future generations in the US, Europe and elsewhere. This would be true for obvious reasons but there is one special reason and it is this: President Biden has said that it has long been his dream that the US and India, two large democracies, become true allies. The US is already one of the larger economies in the world but India still remains a developing country. If India was to become a developed country and was able to do it in a proper democratic way through the agency of science and technology, it would not only redound to the benefit of both countries but - do I dare say this? - It also could help considerably in the cause of world peace.

A further reason for interest would be because the book sets out what the author feels is truly required in transforming any developing nation and here not only is the receiving nation itself involved but also all those who aspire to help her.